The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-08
DIXEY AND BARRETT. Z
A Brilliant Ending for the Dramatic
Season in New York ~. ..e,-..-.

NEW YORK, May II doubt if there
could be found in the world two men more
dissimilar in ali their characteristics than
Henry f. Dixey and Lawrence Barrett.
Both Of them had what are technically
known as first nights on Monday. Mr.
Barrett produced "RienI" for the first time
in New York, and it was done in a manner
belitting the reputation that the actor has
recently gained for thoroughness, industry
and elaborate historical research in the pro
duction of old plays. Mr.. Dixey, who, de-
spite the usual amount of carping that may
always be depended upon to aSsaiI the name
OF a successful man, is unquestionably the
most popular actor in America
to-day, returned to. the theatce
where he made his fame, and with
the burlesque that he already played
here so many hundred times On one hand
was Barrett with new play and a capable
company, and on the other hand Dixey with
an old play and the old company at the old
stand. According to all the rules of the
dramatic profession, and even in accordance
with the ideas of theatrical SPECTATORS, the
new show should have made the greater hit.
But it was Dixey that set the town talking
and all Of his old triumphs were renewed
III a single night. He is once more a familiar
figure on Broadway and Fifth avenue. He
, AcCfNo
too. To-day ! saw him strolling along the
sunny side OF Fifth avenue with his hand
on the collar of an enormous dog, his hat
pushed slightly back on his forehead and his
hand in his pocket
He looked like young collegian on his
way to the ball ground. Dlxey's plans
are ambitious. He will make the Biiou,
in which he now owns an interest, the
home of burlesque in New York.
ig nc low,
as anything recently done here. 1t is com
pared favorably with irving's productions,
and very properly, too, for it is brought for
ward on scale of magniticence that has
seldom been equaled on the American stage
IL has been the dream of many an actor to
produce tragedy on the same scale as some
of the great NibO spectacular pieces, but
Nj. Barrett was the first to carry it into exc
cution. There are hundreds of men in the
company, and the supernumeraries and I'M
important actors have received as much care
as though every man occupied as important
position as the star.
Still another notable opening was that OF
the Lyceum Theatre. Manager Daniel
Frohman, who now has control Of the Ly-
ceum, is credited with being the shrewdeSt
of New York managers. IL is he who is
responsible for Hazel Kirken and all the
other wonderful successes of the Madison
usual weight in tine theatrical world Now
that he has theatre of his own, the public
is assured of a succession of new plays
The first of these was 1.-THE Highest Bid
der a comedy originally written for the
late T.. A. Sothern and played at tho
Lyceum by his clever and talented son. The
play is admirably cast and hits were made
by j. w. PiSott and Mr.. Lc Moyne, but
young Sothein easily carried Off the honors.
II is by long odds the best work that he has
yet done in the course OF two seasons Of UNI
questionably arduous erdeavor. His comedy
IS original, polished, and, Singularly enough,
funny
After weeks ard months of absolute in
sipidity the tail end OF the season is suddenly
Frightened by three pronounced hits The
vagaries of the dramatic season defy pre-
diction. BLAKELY HALL.